A brand-new road corridor linking the Olympic zones of Barra and Deodoro was inaugurated in western Rio de Janeiro on Saturday (9 July), cutting journey times between key Olympic locations for athletes, officials and spectators.

The 26-kilometre (16-mile) road link, which has been named the Transolímpica, includes a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) expressway exclusively for articulated buses. An estimated 70,000 will use the BRT service every day when it is fully operational. This is the third BRT line in the city.

During the Olympic Games, use of the BRT and access to the road will be restricted to people who are working at the Games, athletes and other people with credentials and spectators with the RioCard travel card for Rio 2016. 

Rio launches travel card for public transport during Olympic and Paralympic Games

The Transolímpica is expected to reduce travel times between Deodoro and Recreio to the west of Barra by 60 per cent. An estimated 55,000 vehicles will use the road each day. 

Construction of the road link, which crosses 11 neighbourhoods of the Olympic city, began in July 2012. As well as the BRT corridor, the road has two lanes for other vehicles in each direction. It cost 2.2 billion reais (US$660 million) to build.

"It is one of the main Olympic legacies," the city's mayor, Eduardo Paes, said at the inauguration of the road on Saturday.

The heart of the Games

During Rio 2016, Barra Olympic Park will be the heart of Games with nine venues hosting 16 Olympic and nine Paralympic sports, alongside the Main Press Centre and the International Broadcast Centre.  Also in the Barra region, although outside the Olympic Park, are the new Olympic Golf Course and the Riocentro complex.

In total, Deodoro Olympic Park will host 11 different Olympic disciplines, including rugby sevens, BMX cycling, hockey, shooting and equestrian events.

All aboard! New metro line on track to open for Rio 2016 Olympic Games

There have been major investments in transport infrastructure in Rio ahead of the Games. The city's international airport has opened a new building that has almost doubled its passenger capacity. The road linking Barra to southern Rio has been expanded, increasing its traffic capacity by 30 per cent. Meanwhile, a new light rail system has begun operating in the centre of the city. 

 This is the third Bus Rapid Transit line to begin operating in Rio. More lines are planned or under construction. (Photo: Cidade Olímpica)